Home & Water Births

Not only do we focus on your baby, but we also focus on you. We want to personalize your care so that you don't feel like another number for your healthcare provider. Childbirth is an emotional journey, so your mental health will be important too. Lastly, we will give you all the information you need to feel empowered in your decisions, and you can understand every avenue.

1. Prenatal Care

   
   

Prenatal visits last 30 to 60 minutes. This gives us enough time to answer your questions without rushing. We want you to feel safe and comfortable while you stay until we address all your concerns. With only one midwife, there's no need to repeat information consistently.

Routine prenatal care takes place in a safe and comfortable environment. Your children and family members are welcome and encouraged to be present during your pregnancy during prenatal care.

You can begin prenatal care as soon as you know you're pregnant. 

The visits are scheduled as follows:

• Every four weeks until the 28th week of pregnancy

• Every two weeks until the 36th week

• Weekly until birth (home delivery is safe between 37–42 weeks)

  
  

Each visit includes:

• Unrushed appointments with ample time for your questions

• Education and counseling

• Monitoring of weight, blood pressure, and urine (checking for protein and glucose)

• Measuring uterine size/fundal height

• Assessing fetal heart rate, activity, and position (in late pregnancy)

• Overall assessment of your physical and emotional well-being

2. Labor and Delivery

We come to your home during labor, arriving when you're ready for us. We bring a qualified assistant and the necessary medication and equipment to ensure a safe home birth. We discuss possible complications and safety measures beforehand so you can confidently approach your birth. If needed or desired, we can transfer care to a nearby hospital, but most home births remain safe and comfortable at home.

Are you interested in a water birth?

Water births have many benefits, like potentially lesser rates of interventions. We will bring a birth pool to your home and set it up while you labor. Our all-inclusive package includes birth pools and water births; check the pricing page for more details.

Regardless of whether you want a water birth or not, during your labor and delivery, we will:

• Assess your and your baby's condition through intermittent monitoring and routine vitals/exams

• Maintain a safe and hygienic environment

• Suture first and second-degree vaginal lacerations if necessary

• Provide emergent care if indicated

• Perform a complete newborn examination

• Assist with establishing breastfeeding

• Clean up after the birth (home births are not often messy)

  
  

After the birth, we stay for at least two hours. We will not leave your home until both you and your baby have stable vitals and are resting comfortably.

3. Postpartum Care

It takes many months to grow a baby, and it often takes longer for your body to recover after having one. The postpartum period is the foundation of your post-pregnancy health and the start of a new journey with your family.

Postpartum visits are scheduled:

• 24–48 hours after the birth (in your home)

• Two to three weeks after the birth (in our office)

• Six to eight weeks after the birth (in our office)

  
  

During these visits, we will:

• Examine your vitals, sutures (if applicable), breastfeeding (if you choose), and overall emotional well-being

• Complete any final labs

• Discuss postpartum mood disorders and ways to prevent or navigate them.

  
  

For your baby, we will:

• File for the baby's birth certificate and social security card within five days of birth

• Complete metabolic and congenital heart disease screenings

• Provide a prescription for their hearing screening

  
  

Please note that these tests do not replace the need to see a pediatrician. You will be encouraged to choose a pediatrician by 36 weeks of pregnancy and will be advised to see them within 24 hours of the birth.

Summary

If you choose to have a home birth with us, you will build a relationship with your healthcare provider that you probably haven’t experienced before. Over eight months, we will prepare you for the precious moment, attend the delivery, and ensure that you and your baby are in optimal health. We will make it our goal to give you the personalized care that you need so that you can feel comfortable and confident in your decisions.  

If you have any questions, please schedule a consultation with our midwife. If you’re looking for pricing information, visit our pricing page.